Truth in Common

Truth in Common helps people become savvier consumers of information and more respectful in their discourse with others. Through a relational media literacy approach, the nonpartisan nonprofit builds skills in small groups that restore trust while improving access to facts. Deanna incorporated TIC in late 2022, inspired by an exploratory discussion group on the topic of “fake news.” TIC’s workshops, professional development solutions and newsletter are informed by Deanna’s career in social and behavior change communications and research on information disorder and social division. Visit truthincommon.org.

Pandemic-friendly coworking

In 2020, Deanna partnered with the nonprofit Festival Center to open a safe coworking space for neighbors, friends and family in her Adams Morgan community. She designed and set up the space using reused and borrowed goods, and worked there frequently during the pandemic with her new puppy, Sweet Pea.

DC March Lodging

Deanna joined a group of local moms in connecting students traveling to DC for the March for Our Lives in March 2018 with local families for free lodging. The group registered 1600 host families, matched around 500 incoming marchers, and addressed over 60 media requests from reporters at The Wall Street Journal, CNN, USA Today, local TV affiliates and more interested in the initiative story and that of both host families and visiting marchers.

Public education advocacy

Deanna serves on the board of DC International School, a multilingual, IB-for-all charter school for middle and high schoolers in DC, and advocates for collaboration between the DCPS and charter sectors. She also was a founding board member of PAVE.

Dance for Hope

Deanna hosted Dance for Hope, a dance party that celebrated a significant birthday and benefited local NPR affiliate WAMU, on the eve of the Women’s March in 2016.